What is your motivation? What keeps you going?

Well for awhile it was the ugly before photo. Now, its watching my form/muscles in the mirror while I'm lifting. Nothing sexier! And I like to compete with myself to see if I can workout more/harder than before.

My husband's grandmother is still alive. And active. And healthy. And FIT.

In my family, no one has ever lived past 65, and that's the sad truth. I am determined NOT to let that trend continue. My parents are both in their mid 50's, and both are well on their way to following the family trend. I just won't do it. I'm determined to lose the weight, keep off the weight, and not turn into my mother, who said that she was too busy raising us to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. When i was 16, my mother told me that it was inevitable - I was thin then, but "just wait until you have a child - you'll never be thin again. Enjoy it while it lasts."

I am determined to prove her wrong!!!

*Edited for typos*

My daughter. I want to be able to keep up with her energy and not be too tired or too out of breath when we are running around. I also have a few "skinny" outfits in my closet that I see everyday. Looking at them, I want to fit in them again! My mom had 4 kids and never lost the weight. I don't want to be struggling with the same problem when I get to her age, I want to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and keep it off!

For me, my motivation is maintaining my current occupation. I am active duty military and being fit is a condition of employment. While it is currently not an issue, if I keep going the way I am, it might become one.
I also want to look better and feel better. There are a few pairs of jeans that while I have had them FOREVER and they are are probably out of style, I still want to be able to fit into them (even if I don't ever wear them out of the house! )
My motivation is also a good friend of mine, she lost some weight and looks fantastic. We used to share clothes, and we can't do that anymore because I am still heavy. I'm ready to double my wardrobe again!

Good luck everyone!

Getting the legs I've always wanted.

Watching that number on the scale get smaller even if it is by a fraction of a pound. My clothes getting just a little baggy. My husband's admiration of the results!

looking at success stories and watching videos like this one
http://www.youtube.com/user/insidenikerunning .......LOL

I want to be healthy!

When I began, it was because I wanted to be able to "do more stuff."

Simple, really - vacations end up exhausting me 'cos we liek to do Things, but I always ended up being miserable on vacation because I hurt/ was too out of shape to do the things I was excited about (snorkeling in Costa Rica? SWEET! Except, kayaking in open water? OW... and getting back was even worse!).

And I wanted to prove to myself I was better than myself - I deserve better than being out of shape and having poor health! If I don't take care of myself now, I certainly won't be able to do it later!

As I've come down the path of health, I dig progressing and pushing myself - I want to master skills I've gained and learn more new skills. Plus, it's AWESOME to be able to see where my muscles are now versus where they were [not] in January. I love seeing my triceps develop and watching the backs of my legs get those sexy hammie curves!

And, y'know... the more in shape I am, the more I find I enjoy "playing the piano" - I feel awesome and my honey seems to appreciate it more too ^__^

To be able to wear a bathing suit (bikini!) without feeling like I have to hide.

To be healthy. And fit. And able to run more than a mile without huffin' and puffin'.

To stop being so self-conscious and so hyper-aware of what I must look like at all times.

To be more confident in general...

My motivations are many

First and foremost is my 11 month old daughter. I want to be around for as long as I can to enjoy my time with her.

I would like to eventually run a marathon. Next year maybe a 1/2 marathon and a marathon in 2014...

I've done this before and I'm determined to make this successful and the last time. I will stay fit.

I'm currently in a for bragging rights fitness challenge with a bunch of friends I used to do Rocky Horror with. There's one guy in particular that we are fighting for the overall lead and we started out at a comparable level of fitness so it's basically a fair fight.

I'm really digging running so I'd like to be fit enough to run, often

Motivation for me is seeing old pictures of me mainly. And fitting into better clothes. And knowing I'll be a better footballer for it !

My brother has pancreatic cancer diagnosed 17 months ago. Sister has triple negative breast cancer and going through chemo the 2nd time. I decided that I have no control over getting cancer but do have control of my weight that has such an impact on my health.

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

I still have my drivers license from where I was 21yo and 150lbs.... I keep it right behind my valid license and every time I see it I think, "I want to look like that again".

I also have stopped focusing on my weight loss goals and started focusing on my fitness goals. Weight may fluctuate daily but being able to run 1 mile/5k/10k doesn't.

Haha - it's not often that a driver's licence photo sparks inspiration!! Good work!!